After more than 20 hours researching 34 label makers and testing the seven most promising models, we found that the Dymo LabelManager 420P is the best one for most people who need to bring a bit more organization to their offices or homes. The Dymo has a large, bright display and an easy-to-navigate interface, and its keyboard is the most comfortable to use when typing one-handed.

Buying Options

The Dymo LabelManager 420P’s backlit display surpassed every other model we tested in viewing and navigating the printer’s interface, which allows for the quick creation and printing of labels. We like that it has a rechargeable battery, so you’ll never have to rush to the store or ransack all your remotes for a new set of batteries; just plug it in and wait a few minutes for it to build up a charge. Plus, the Dymo has a narrow keyboard that makes carrying it from room to room or typing on it without a desk or table easy—a design that parents, office managers, and organizers of all stripes will appreciate.

Buying Options

If you stick labels on food storage containers, water bottles, or anything else that you’d put in the dishwasher, we recommend the Brother PT-D450 because its labels won’t wash off after one cycle. For most everyone else, however, the Dymo is a better choice. Though the Brother improves on the Dymo in some ways—a brighter backlit display and a better keyboard layout—the keyboard is mushier, the display doesn’t show as much information, it requires six AA batteries and has no rechargeable options, and the interface can be frustrating to use.

The research

Why you should trust us

I’ve been reviewing products since 2011, both on a personal site and for Wired. I’ve covered a range of topics, from smartphones and tablets to backpacks. I’ve also spent more time seeking and trying new organizational methods than I have on using the things I’ve organized.

For this guide, I spent several days digging through the settings of all seven label makers, finding every useful feature they offered. Once I had a good understanding of each device, I printed out countless labels, slapped them all over our Los Angeles office, and put them through a number of durability tests.

Who this is for

If you’re in the market for a label maker, you probably already have a pretty good idea of how it’ll fit into your life, whether that’s organizing your personal space at home or your professional space at work. You can use a label maker to help tidy your office, boost your crafting game, or help everyone at home remember where everything should go.

In the office, a good label maker can remind co-workers where the office’s last pair of scissors belongs or separate the pens from the pencils. You can slap labels on all your most important folders or keep everyone’s mailboxes separate. For offices that may need a bit more tidying up, a label maker that pairs with your computer or phone could make things easier. Rather than typing on a small keyboard that you’ll have to spend time getting acquainted with, you can use a connected label maker with a keyboard you’re more familiar with, allowing you to print your labels faster and in larger batches.

Label makers are also useful for anyone whose home needs a bit more structure. Parents can use a few to remind their kids where all their toys belong (and hopefully never step on another Lego) or keep snacks identified in the kitchen. Label makers are great for cables too, whether you want to mark the power cords crowding your surge protectors or remind yourself what every indistinct USB cable in your junk drawer does.

Not every label maker has to be strictly utilitarian, though. In the right hands, this device can quickly add much-needed context to the family photo album. With some specialty crafting tape, that scrapbook you’ve been working on can receive the last bit of flair it needs before being shown off.

How we picked

Photo: Rozette Rago

We considered a wide variety of label makers, including top sellers on Amazon, as well as models sold in office supply stores. We also looked at every model from the most notable manufacturers, Brother and Dymo (since we last updated this guide, Epson discontinued its line of consumer-grade label makers).

We evaluated 32 label makers and, based on the criteria below, narrowed that list down to seven models. Here’s what we looked for:

A large screen for previewing labels: While we preferred models capable of displaying three to five lines of text on-screen, several models showed only one line at a time while offering enough other benefits to be considered in our testing.

A rechargeable battery: We preferred models with rechargeable batteries and an AC adapter. These are much more convenient than those that require having a new pack of batteries on hand whenever a label maker dies, but they tend to be more expensive up front than models that use AA or AAA batteries.

A comfortable keyboard to type on: We mainly considered label makers with full keyboards, complete with function keys, that looked comfortable enough to type on for more than a few keystrokes. A few models we considered lacked keyboards but allowed us to type and print labels directly from a phone. We also looked at a few models with PC/Mac support, so it'd be possible to type from a favorite keyboard rather than the on-device keyboard.

Side-cut labels: Most label makers offer on-device, manual buttons to slice labels. We favored the models with buttons on the side of the device, rather than the top, since these were easier to grip and press.

Ability to print multiple lines: The models we considered printed between two and five lines. Though legibility tends to decrease when more lines are printed on a label, we think this flexibility is important. We didn’t consider any models that printed only one line of text per label.

Plenty of tape options: While plain black-and-white labels will usually do the trick, sometimes a different material or color scheme is required. We looked for label makers that offered support for a variety of tapes to fit every need.

Ability to save frequently printed text for later use: We preferred label makers that offered a simple way to save the most frequently used labels. Most models offered at least 15 memory slots for quick label printing, with some storing as many as 50.

A variety of font options: We preferred models with a larger selection of fonts, which allows for more creativity. Most models we considered had between eight and 14 fonts installed; two models supported Google’s massive font library, as well as Apple’s; and two models could be plugged into a PC or Mac to use the fonts installed on those devices.

Support for bar code printing: This wasn’t a priority in our consideration, but being able to print bar codes from a label maker is a nice feature for small-business owners.

Ability to connect to other devices: We gave preference to label makers that offered connectivity with PCs and Macs, or iOS and Android, which equals a significantly larger font library, including those from Apple and Google, for more label variety. While we preferred label makers with these options, they weren’t required.

How we tested

In our tests, we were looking for the label maker that made typing and printing labels as efficient as possible and produced the best-looking results. The first thing we considered was ease of setup out of the box. Did it come with batteries or another power source, as well as tape cartridges? And we evaluated how easy it was to load the batteries and cartridges into the label makers.

We then got to work on making labels, typing out both short and long strings of characters to see how each keyboard felt. We paid close attention to the layout of the keys and how many useful function keys the printers had. Since most models use on-device interfaces to get the job done, we sifted through each device’s interface to see how easily we could change text formatting, save labels for later use, and fine-tune a label’s margins and spacing.

After we had produced a nice pile of printed labels from all the makers, we attached them to a mason jar. We then took them off and reattached them to check for adherence after several removals. Finally, we ran the jar through the dishwasher to test for durability when put up against water, heat, and detergent.

Buying Options

The Dymo LabelManager 420P has the best display for making and formatting labels, a rechargeable battery, and a keyboard that’s comfortable to type on. Its narrow keyboard design makes carrying it one-handed around the office easy, and its rechargeable battery alleviates the stress of having to keep a stock of AA batteries for every time the charge runs out. It also has the ability to plug into a PC or Mac for using different fonts and more easily tweaking labels before printing them.

Among the label makers we tested, the Dymo has the largest display, which makes it the best for fine-tuning your label’s font, size, formatting, and margins, as well as previewing the labels before printing. The display was slightly dimmer than that on the Brother PT-D450, but it still provided enough light to be visible even in a dark room. At four lines, the Dymo’s screen was able to preview more information at once than any other label maker we tested, which comes in handy when you’re typing out longer labels.

While we were skeptical of the Dymo’s narrow keyboard, we actually found that it was easier to operate one-handed than other models we tested. It had other benefits too: Where other label makers (like Brother’s PT-D450, PT-D400, and PT-D210) make you hold down the shift button as you type (like a standard keyboard), the Dymo’s shift key sticks (like on iOS or Android) so you don’t have to hold it down as you press a letter key. On such a small form factor, this saved us a lot of frustration during our testing. Despite its size, the Dymo also houses more functional buttons, like save, format, print, and a four-direction navigation pad, than the competition.

The Dymo 420P backlit display (right) is the largest among the models we tested and shows more information than the similar Dymo ColorPop label maker (left). Photo: Rozette Rago

Carrying and using the Dymo with one hand is easier thanks to its narrow keyboard and frame. Photo: Rozette Rago

The Dymo 420P backlit display (right) is the largest among the models we tested and shows more information than the similar Dymo ColorPop label maker (left). Photo: Rozette Rago

Carrying and using the Dymo with one hand is easier thanks to its narrow keyboard and frame. Photo: Rozette Rago

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A bonus feature not found on any of the competition is the Dymo’s battery life indicator, which told us when to plug it in to recharge. While you may not need to swap out the batteries too often, it’s better to know ahead of time than to be blindsided as you’re trying to prepare a bunch of labels before a big event.

Most of the models we tested, namely those from Brother, have a cutting mechanism that you press down on to chop your labels. This worked fine, but we preferred the Dymo’s side button since it was easier to use one-handed, and the motion feels smoother than with the cutter on Brother’s models.

For times where the on-screen interface feels too cramped, like when you’re making a lot of changes to the label’s font, the Dymo can connect to a Mac or PC and use Dymo’s dedicated printing app. The app provides a quicker way to add clip art and more custom fonts from Google and Apple’s font libraries, which provides a greater variety for labels. The app resembles a pared down Microsoft Word and was easy to navigate in our testing, but it won’t come in handy unless you’re looking to do some granular formatting of your labels.

Most label makers are meant to rest on a desk, but the Dymo can also be held with one hand for more portability. Photo: Rozette Rago

For things like water bottles, file folders, or organizing cables, you probably won’t need to print more than one line of text per label. But if you need to print address labels or contextual descriptions in your scrapbook, the Dymo can print up to four lines of text, as long as you’re using 19 mm tape, as thinner sizes are too cramped to fit that much text.

The Dymo supports the standard array of labels in ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, and ¾″ varieties, plus several colors for anyone looking to change things up or get a little crafty. Reloading cartridges into the Dymo was easy.

At 15 labels, the Dymo is on the lower end of the memory size we’ve seen, but that should be plenty for most people who frequently reprint labels. If you need more memory, the Brother PT-D450 has 50 slots.

For office use, the Dymo is able to print out bar codes, and its ability to print up to 10 copies of the same label at once can save time as you’re running through your stock or filing cabinets.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Dymo’s ABC keyboard layout took some getting used to compared with a standard QWERTY layout like that on the Brother PT-D450. Photo: Rozette Rago

The Dymo’s slimmer keyboard makes it more portable, but its ABC layout was more frustrating than the QWERTY layouts of every other model we tested. Though we found typing on the Dymo a bit tricky at first, it was easy to get used to after about 30 minutes of usage.

We also found that Dymo’s labels aren’t as durable as those from Brother. Dymo’s labels stayed on a mason jar after being peeled off and reapplied five times, but the labels fell off completely when run through the dishwasher. Unless you’re putting labels on all your cups and water bottles, this won’t be too much of an issue. If you do plan on using labels on your kitchenware or kids’ thermoses or food containers, you should consider the Brother PT-D450 instead.

Buying Options

If the Dymo is out of stock, or you’ll be using your labels on dishwasher-safe items, we recommend the Brother PT-D450. Like the Dymo, it has a backlit display and supports PC and Mac connectivity through an easy-to-understand app that feels similar enough to Microsoft Word that you’ll be able to navigate it without too much frustration. These features make the Brother stand out, but its desktop-style keyboard gives it a wider body that’s not as convenient to carry around.

While using the Brother is less pleasant than the Dymo, its labels did survive our dishwasher test, whereas the Dymo’s all peeled off before the cycle was finished. So if you’re going to be printing labels to slap on your water bottles and food storage containers, the Brother is a better choice.

But in all other areas, we found the Dymo superior to the Brother. The Brother’s significantly smaller display shows fewer menu options, all of which are delegated to a set of function keys that aren’t as robust as the ones on the Dymo. The Brother also lacks the Dymo’s rechargeable battery. You have to either buy six AA batteries and plop them into the back of the PT-D450 or keep it plugged into an outlet via the AC adapter.

The Brother’s QWERTY keyboard is easier to type on than the Dymo’s, but its bulky body makes it harder to carry around or use one-handed. Photo: Rozette Rago

We did like the Brother’s traditional QWERTY keyboard layout, but we found its keys were slightly mushier than the Dymo’s, and having to hold down the shift key while pressing down the key you want to capitalize was irritating on such a cramped keyboard. The more desktop-like keyboard also made the Brother too wide to comfortably hold in one hand and felt too small to quickly type on while resting on the desk.

The PT-D450’s top-mounted button for cutting labels was a bit harder to operate than the Dymo’s side-mounted cutter button, too. Rather than using your grip to press down on the side of the device, you have to shift the position of your hand and press down with one finger, which felt awkward in our testing.

The Brother stood out for its ability to print up to five lines of text per label, as long as you use 18 mm tape, which is a step up from the Dymo’s four lines with 19 mm tape. While you may not use this feature often, it’s nice to have that extra line for when you need to add a bit more detail.

The Brother does have better storage than the Dymo: You can save more frequently used text to easily print out at a later date. It can save 50—versus the Dymo’s 15—which may seem like overkill for some people, but if you’re tired of having to type out the same label every time it gets peeled off, it’s worth the peace of mind knowing it’s just a few taps away.

Brother offers the widest variety of tape sizes and colors, with options ranging from 3.5 mm up to 18 mm and prices from $8 up to nearly $30. The tape you should get will depend on your needs, but the wider the tape, the more information you’ll be able to fit on the label, so it’s best to know exactly what you’re going to do with the tape before ordering it.

For those who need to print out bar codes, the Brother supports them just like Dymo. The other label makers we considered with bar code support, including the PT-D400, Touch Cube Plus, and MobileLabeler, all came with their own dealbreakers.

The competition

Brother P-touch Cube Plus and Dymo MobileLabeler: Unlike the other models we tested, both of these label makers rely on a smartphone or computer to operate. They lack on-device screens, so you have to install the manufacturer’s clunky app to construct and modify your labels. That lack of display also means that you’ll have to carry two devices around with you, rather than one, without much added benefit. We liked that these label makers offered an automatic tape cutter and rechargeable battery, but nothing else about them stood out enough to justify the higher prices.

Brother PT-D210: This label maker had one of the most limited displays among the models we tested, barely showing one line of text at a time. Where other models had four-directional navigation buttons, the D210 has only left and right navigation buttons, which made finding our way through the menus cumbersome and tiring.

Brother PT-D400: This is a more limited version of the Brother PT-D450, and it isn’t significantly cheaper.

Dymo ColorPop: The ColorPop is geared toward crafters and supports tapes with fabric and glitter, but it doesn’t offer much else. Its body is similar to the Dymo LabelManager 420P, but it feels cheaper, the keys are harder to press, and its screen displays less text than any other model we tested. This model offers support for emoji, but you can only see four on the screen at once, and flipping through pages of emoticons and symbols gets tiresome quickly.

Wirecutter is a list of wonderful things by Brian Lam and friends, founded in 2011 and a part of The New York Times Company since 2016. Have a question? Just ask.